All across Northeast Ohio, school districts are busily working to construct new high schools, middle schools and elementary schools. Many of these new buildings will replace the venerable schools of days gone by -- now dilapidated, energy-inefficient and unable to meet the high-tech needs of 21st century education.

School administrators toss around words like “sustainability” and “LED lighting” and discuss the merits of fiber optics and computer-controlled boilers. They talk about redesigning classrooms for collaborative learning and making sure students will have access to the most up-to-date technology.

Amenities include things like intimate, café-style seating instead of one large cafeteria; performing arts centers; dedicated music rooms; competition gyms in addition to practice gyms; and state-of-the-art athletic facilities.

Now, remember – you are the ones paying for all this through your tax dollars. So whether your school district is building new, renovating or maybe thinking about asking for a bond issue for a new school, your board of education needs to hear from you about what you think your schools need to look like.

If you were choosing what to include in your community’s new or renovated schools, what would be at the top of your list? The latest computers and technology? Classrooms dedicated to the skilled trades? An open floor plan? A Starbucks?

Maybe you’d like to see a return to the bare basics. Let us know what you think!